Objective: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone agonists (GnRHa) are used to improve the final adult height in
short stature children. There are limited studies which address the potential side effect of these agents:
excessive weight gain. We have followed girls with rapidly progressive puberty receiving GnRHa and results
were focused on the effect of treatment on final height, weight and body mass index
Methods: Thirty girls between 8.5 and 12 years with short stature and predicted adult height of less than 155
cm were enrolled in the study. All had rapidly progressive puberty. Weight and height measurements were
done at the beginning of treatment, 6 and 12 months after starting and 6 and 12 months after the cessation of
treatment. Bone age and stages of puberty were estimated at the beginning of treatment, after 12 months of
starting and 12 months after the treatment was stopped.
Findings: Predicted adult height (PAH) changes during treatment were not significant. There was no
significant difference between final height and weight according to the body mass index (BMI), PAH or bone
age.
Conclusion: We conclude that girls with genetic short stature and rapidly progressive puberty will not benefit
receiving a one-year course of GnRHa and there is no significant difference between the final height and final
weigh among children according to BMI.